I'm getting to the point where I'm pondering whether or not to continue writing plays, at least full-length plays. Right now I'm working on converting my short story, "Old Soldiers", into a radio play in the feeble and fading hope of entering in their annual BBC International Radio Playwriting competition.

I've started the process twice over a two year period but don't seem to have the endurance to stay with the project. Part of the problem is my inexperience in writing for radio, which psyches me out. I've never had problems writing dialogue since the words are immediately converted to images in my head. My dilemma is providing the necessary sound effects to accompany the dialogue.

As usual I've left things to the last minute with the deadline approaching at the end of next month.

I'm sharing my angst because I'm seriously thinking about limiting my playwriting to short plays ten minutes and under. Actually, these come easy to me because I choose subjects in which I can relate. The Scenes from Life playettes are based on actual experiences or overheard conversations and are written tongue in cheek. Maybe this is the direction I should be going.

As for Old Soldiers - just not sure...

Meanwhile, I shared my anxiety in my playwriting blog here:
http://a-playwrights-ramblings.blogspot.com/

Ellie, do you ever do plays for children? Just wondering if there is a market for them. I know in church and school we had little short skits and plays.

Never tried it - or really gave it a thought but maybe I should. Two of my grandchildren are in theatre groups and it appears the theatre director adapts well-known plays to accomodate all the children. In other words - they use existing plays that are tried-and-true. New plays at any age are a big gamble and most theatres use plays - musicals for the most part - that have proven themselves to be a draw. Still, I'll think about it...